[Greens-Media] Long term unemployed let down by system that sets them up to fail

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

7 June 2013


Long term unemployed let down by system that sets them up to fail


The Australian Greens say an increase to Newstart Allowance and more effective job services are essential for helping the long term unemployed back into the workforce.

"Job services aren't adequately helping people overcome multiple barriers to employment, and the situation is being made worse by the inadequate level of income support provided by Newstart," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on families and community services said today.

"Newstart's inadequacy means that long term unemployed people are being set up to fail.

"Employment programs are not meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged job seekers, with services failing 75% of participants.

"Figures revealed through my questions at Senate Estimates have highlighted the fact that people stuck on Newstart for extended period of time are facing multiple barriers to work, such as lack of employment history, skills or experience, issues around mental health and access to transport. These barriers are just not being addressed.

"When you're living more than $133 below the poverty line, you need to take into account each and every cost. Forcing people deeper and deeper into debt and poverty does not address their barriers to employment, in fact it adds to the barriers they need to overcome.

"I don't know what the Government or Coalition think is being achieved by exposing people to such severe financial stress while they seek work. The evidence shows we need to lift people out of poverty and provide better support services to meet the needs of the job seeker.

"The Greens' bill to Increase Newstart by $50 per week is essential for immediately addressing some of the most serious challenges people are facing. It is also clear that far more needs to be done to ensure jobs services are providing the level of support people need," Senator Siewert concluded.